Legendary 'Godfather of Latin Hustle' Releases Memoir on Dance, Addiction, and Redemption

From the grit of the Bronx to global stages, Surviving Yourself chronicles a world champion's battle with heroin and his ultimate rise to salsa royalty.

Mar. 24, 2026 at 5:49am

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Published by Spines, Surviving Yourself: A Life of Rhythm, Survival, and Redemption is the highly anticipated memoir by legendary dancer, choreographer, and instructor Billy Fajardo. Known globally as the "Godfather of Latin Hustle," Fajardo strips away the glitz of the ballroom to reveal a staggering true story of childhood poverty, life-threatening heroin addiction, and the life-saving power of dance.

Why it matters

Fajardo's memoir captures the vibrant history of Latin Hustle and Salsa, tracking his rise from Bronx basements to international television. Beyond addiction, the author shares his inspiring journey through life-threatening kidney failure, transplant surgery, and a miraculous return to the stage at age 65, emphasizing the importance of reclaiming his Puerto Rican roots and mentoring the next generation of global dancers.

The details

Despite the hardships of poverty and an unstable home, Fajardo found solace in his grandmother's stories of Puerto Rican revolutionaries and the rhythmic pulse of his neighborhood. His passion for movement catapulted him to early success, leading his young dance company, Dance Dimensions, to perform at Madison Square Garden and Carnegie Hall. But beneath the glittering costumes and standing ovations, Fajardo was fighting a shadow - he spiraled into a devastating heroin addiction that led to near-fatal overdoses, stints at Rikers Island, and being detained by the military in a Venezuelan holding pen. After achieving sobriety on April 21, 1996, Fajardo rebuilt his life one step at a time, triumphantly returning to the stage and winning the 2002 IDO World Exhibition Cabaret Championship.

  • Fajardo achieved sobriety on April 21, 1996.
  • Fajardo won the 2002 IDO World Exhibition Cabaret Championship.

The players

Billy Fajardo

A world-renowned dancer, choreographer, and instructor, widely celebrated as the "Godfather of Latin Hustle." Over a career spanning five decades, he has won multiple world championships and co-produced major events such as the World Salsa Championship on ESPN.

Dance Dimensions

Fajardo's young dance company that performed at Madison Square Garden and Carnegie Hall.

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What they’re saying

“This dance saved my life. And it can save yours too—if you respect it. I want to step back on stage because I want to show people that you can always rewrite your story. You can always rise again.”

— Billy Fajardo

The takeaway

Fajardo's memoir provides an unfiltered account of his battle with heroin, time spent in Rikers Island, and the rigorous path to his 1996 sobriety, ultimately showcasing the power of dance and resilience to overcome even the darkest of challenges.